ABILITIES Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

abilities

noun

plural of ability

as in capabilities

the physical or mental power to do something as a result of the accident the once-vigorous athlete lost the ability to walk

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of abilities Ema is sick of the dead and long past sick of trying to convince others that her abilities are real. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026 Still, her knack for collecting polished, easy-to-style shoes that are comfortable enough to stand in all day exceeds even my own abilities. — Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 The Spanish technology uses a series of mechanical modules to push water and generate waves that can be adjusted for different surfing abilities. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Folks come to Denver Comedy Works ready to laugh, comics say — so comedy-hungry and polite that their enthusiasm can give a performer an inflated sense of their own abilities. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026 Cardoso’s dribbling abilities gave the Tigers fits all nights. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026 Any of the exercises mentioned can improve your VO2, and the jury is still out on whether running is inherently better, as every individual has a unique set of circumstances, including health status, injuries, and physical abilities. — Jakob Roze, HEALTH, 23 Sep. 2026 Such authority derives from followers’ belief that a leader possesses exceptional qualities or abilities. — Morgan Shipley, The Conversation, 21 Sep. 2026 Before turning it into a judgment about your abilities, notice what specifically bothered you. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abilities

Noun

For starters, the app integrates existing Copilot capabilities such as a simple chatbot (known as Chat) and a more advanced version (known as Cowork) into one place.

— Matthew J. Belvedere,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
The collaboration will combine NANO Nuclear’s microreactor and nuclear fuel capabilities with IP3’s project development, financing and government engagement experience.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of capabilities

Noun

The mathematics may accurately describe how quantum objects manifest through states, transformations and measurements without yet providing a complete account of what gives those objects their identity, capacities and coherence.

— Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
The yacht also comes with large tank capacities, space for spares and equipment, accessible systems, and a large garage, allowing seafarers to spend more time away from the shore.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of capacities

Noun

Organizers want the bill in New York to go even further than recess and focus more broadly on play and projects where students learn real-life skills.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
At the start, Hondo flexes his rusty leadership skills and tries to get his ragtag crew to work as a cohesive unit.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of skills

Noun

Ron returns to Hillman College when his star football player son, Shaquille (Cornell Young IV), decides to take his talents there.

— Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026
In receiving the award, Arjona joins a rich roster of talents, including actress Maude Apatow who was bestowed with the accolade last year.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of talents

Noun

The prosecution’s argument Prosecutors argued Clancy was in full control of her faculties at the time of the killings and deliberately planned the murders.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Rather than focusing on the mom's faculties, the advisor asked how each family member viewed success across different time horizons.

— Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of faculties

Noun

For this class, the premise is that your purpose in life lies to the intersection of your values, your aptitudes and your interests.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2026
This model reflects Japan’s long-standing corporate culture, which prioritizes new hires for their general potential—their aptitudes and aspirations, as opposed to their current skill sets or university majors—and then trains them on the job.

— GRACIA LIU-FARRER, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025

Definition of aptitudes

Noun

Organizations can develop these competencies within existing teams.

— Mohammed Cherifi, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Gemma and Richard are composites drawn from our several decades of advising organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to smaller nonprofits on designing interview processes that assess leadership and interpersonal competencies.

— Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of competencies

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“Abilities.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abilities. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of abilities

noun

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